Jesse Jackson Jr charged with misusing campaign funds

Jesse Jackson Jr, the former congressman and son of the civil rights leader,
will plead guilty to charges that he conspired to use $750,000 of campaign
money to fund a luxury lifestyle for himself and his family.

Mr Jackson is understood to have reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors who allege that he spent $43,000 on a gold-plated Rolex watch and tens of thousands of dollars on bizarre pop culture memorabilia.

Among the items listed in court papers were a $4,600 Michael Jackson hat, a $4,000 guitar owed by Eddie Van Halen and more than $10,000 worth of Bruce Lee collector's items.

Mr Jackson stood down from his Chicago seat shortly after being re-elected in November but had not spent time in Congress in months as he battled with mental health issues.

"I offer no excuses for my conduct, and I fully accept my responsibility for the improper decisions and mistakes I have made," he said in statement.

Mr Jackson's wife, Sandra Stevens Jackson, is also expected to plead guilty to filing false income tax returns and may also face jail time.

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Mrs Jackson, who had previously served as one of her husband's campaign aides, stood down from her post in Chicago city government last month as the federal investigation closed in around the couple. They have two children.

As well as buying luxury items and holidays, the couple allegedly funneled campaign money to their personal accounts to deal with mounting financial debts.